Women's Volleyball | January 14, 2019

PHILADELPHIA – Reigning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Caitlin Schweihofer has announced that three student-athletes have committed to join her La Salle volleyball program in 2019.
 
Marisa Guisti (Peru, Ill.), Rachel Hess (Breinigsville, Pa.) and Sydney Stone (Avon, Ohio) will begin their careers after the Explorers had unprecedented success this past year. La Salle advanced to its first A-10 Tournament in program history, won a quarterfinal-round match and finished the 2018 season with an 18-12 record.
 
Guisti is a 6-1 middle from the Midwest who was named the 2018 News Tribune Volleyball Player of the Year in the Illinois Valley. Guisti led the area in blocks at 1.5 per set and ranked third in kills at 3.9 per set. As a senior, her La Salle-Peru team went 32-5, earned a regional championship and advanced to the sectional finals.
 
Schweihofer on Guisti: "Marisa is a dynamic middle blocker, who is a solid attacker both in front of and behind the setter. She has developed tremendously over the past few years, but still has a high ceiling for growth in her skill. Coming from the volleyball rich area of Chicago, she has competed against a high-level of competition, and should be able to make an immediate impact as a MB in the Atlantic 10."
 
Hess is a local product who was a four-year varsity starter at Allentown Central Catholic. As a junior, she was named Morning Call Girls' Volleyball Player of the Year after earning MVP honors in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. A two-time First Team All-State selection, she accumulated over 1,000 kills for her career.
 
Schweihofer on Hess: "Rachel is a very diverse volleyball player who will look to compete for playing time as both a defensive specialist and an OH. She is extremely athletic and has great self-motivation to push herself to be the best athlete she can be. Her spunky and competitive attitude will be a great addition to our gym."
 
Another Midwest native, Stone comes to La Salle following a standout high school career at Avon High School in Ohio. A 6-0 outside hitter, she is a two-time all-conference and all-county honoree who registered a .329 hitting percentage as a junior. The Eagles won three Southwestern Conference titles during her four years, including a perfect 18-0 season in 2018.
 
Schweihofer on Stone: "Sydney is an extremely well-skilled and highly-trained player who will compete for time immediately on either pin. She has a great work ethic and is always in the gym training in order to improve her game. She comes from a top club in the Cleveland area, and we are excited for her to add some depth to our pin positions."